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This FAQ should tell you everything you need to know about SMoG. In fact the FAQ contains some infrequently asked questions too!
Trips and Activities
- What type of outdoor activities does SMoG do?
- How often does SMoG meet locally?
- How often does SMoG have trips away?
- Where does SMoG go on trips?
- How does SMoG travel to its destinations?
- What do I do if I want to come on a trip?
- How much will a weekend away cost?
- What gear do I need to bring?
- What food do I need to bring?
- Where do I learn to rock climb?
The Club
- How do I become a member?
- How much does it cost to become a member?
- How do I contact SMoG?
- How did SMoG get started?
Trips and Activities
1. What type of outdoor activities does SMoG do?
Rock climbing, mountaineering, hill walking, mountain biking, and caving are the core SMoG sports. In addition, some members canoe, ski (all types), and paraglide. You name it, we do it!
On a typical weekend away a number of people will climb, others will walk, and some may scramble - it all depends on that great British unknown - the weather! Occasionally it has been known for someone to actively pursue that keen sport of gear fondling.
2. How often does SMoG meet locally?
We have a local meeting in a pub in the Slough area once a month on a Wednesday evening at 8:30pm. In the club event calendar you can find the date of the next home meet. Contact the club secretary who will happily provide you with driving/cycling/walking directions to the meet.
In the summer we organise evening cycle rides or walks in place of the Wednesday pub meet. The keen mountain bikers organise rides locally on the weekends - usually monthly. Bracknell Forest and Aston Hill for good technical riding, and the Chilterns and Cotswolds for day length rides. Come along especially if you like mud!
During winter members of the club can regularly be found at one of the local indoor rock walls. The day and venue changes so email the club secretary or come a long to a home meet to find out when and where!
3. How often does SMoG have trips away?
We have a weekend trip away within Great Britain every month of the year - including winter! We schedule trips over bank holiday weekends, Easter, and Christmas/New Year in order to maximise our time in the great outdoors. Check out the club event calendar for a full list.
We also have an annual trip to Europe in the summer. Last year we went to the Dolomites in Italy for some excellent climbing, via ferrata, and walking.
4. Where does SMoG go on trips?
This year we have planned 4 or 5 trips to Wales, 4 or 5 trips to the Lake District, and one trip to Scotland. Usually we make it down to Cornwall, and over to the Peak District too. In the winter we stay at mountaineering club huts, and in summer we often camp. Weather depending of course!
The trip to Europe is scheduled for late July, early August for two weeks, at campsites with good access to the mountains. Over the past few years we have been to:
- Spanish Pyrenees
- Austria
- Switzerland
- Dolomites
5. How does SMoG travel to its destinations?
We drive up/across/to our destination on Friday night after work. This takes between 4 to 6 hours depending on destination, traffic, weather, and number of speeding points already collected by the driver!
We share transport in our private cars, with between 3 and 4 people in each car, each paying their share of the costs. The club has a transport organiser who makes sure everybody who needs one, has a seat. The transport is organised on the Wednesday prior to the trip.
6. What do I do if I want to come on a trip?
The first step is to come along to a home meet in Slough and meet some of the club members. Then you can find out where the next trip will be and book yourself a place. Some of the trips are very popular and there may only be limited places available. Normally the earliest you can book in for a trip is two home meets before the trip.
Sometimes people put their name down for a meets list and then don't turn up. This isn't fair on the others who missed out on going, so we ask that if you put your name on a meets list, then the space must be paid for even if you do not go.
7. How much will a weekend away cost?
Well, a typical weekend would cost up to £5/night for accommodation. Transport costs would be shared between passengers in the car and range from £10 to £20, depending on the location of the meet. And food! That depends entirely on what you eat - in fact we are so keen on food we have a whole question dedicated to it - see below!
8. What gear do I need to bring?
All the huts we stay at have dorm bunk rooms, cooking facilities, refrigerators, and hot showers. You will need to bring a sleeping bag, toilet gear, and clothing appropriate to the season. This would include:
- Raincoat and overtrousers
- Day pack/rucksack
- Good walking boots/Rock boots
- Warm clothing - hat, gloves, thermal top, thermal long johns, fibrepile jacket/warm jersey
- Sunhat!
If you need help with any gear please ask club members, as we will usually be able to lend you anything you might not have.
9. What food do I need to bring?
On the food side of things you will definitely need to bring food for breakfast and food to make up packed lunches for Saturday and Sunday. The huts may not always have good access to shops so you will need to bring everything - milk,tea, bacon, butter, bread rolls, cereal etc.
For the evening meal on Saturday you have the option of bringing your own food and using the hut facilities to cook, or eating out at a local pub. You will always find someone to join you at the pub, and there will always be someone cooking in the hut - so take your pick!
9. Where do I learn to rock climb?
SMOG is not a training organisation. If you are interesting in learning more about the technical aspects of outdoor sports have a look at the BMC web site or other outdoor pursuit organisations such as Plas Y Brenin.
The Club
1. How do I become a member?
Come along to our meets! After attending two weekend meets away, the committee will then invite you to join - do not feel intimidated as this is just a formality and required by the club constitution!
2. How much does it cost to become a member?
The cost is £10/year membership fee. If you join the caving section that is an additional £5/year. By joining SMoG you will become a member of the BMC and be entitled to use their services such as travel insurance. You can also obtain a discount at Field and Trek on presentation of your SMoG membership card.
3. How do I contact SMoG?
The club secretary is Rod Edmonds and you can phone him at 01753 671389, or send us at email using our contact page.
4. How did SMoG get started?
In the early 1970's the Slough College of Technology (now known as Thames Valley University) ran Mountaineering Courses. When the courses were no longer offered the participants decided to start up their own local mountaineering club in order to cater for the needs of outdoor sports enthusiasts in the area.
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| Last Updated: 13 Oct 2005 | © Slough Mountaineering Group | contact us |